Agenda and minutes

To approve as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 November 2024.

The Minutes (copies of which had been circulated) of the meeting held on 25 November 2024 were approved as a correct record.

Councillors and officers to declare any interests which they have in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

Councillors and Officers were invited to declare any interest that they had in any of the items on the agenda for the meeting.

No declarations of interest were made.

To consider whether it is in the public to exclude the public during consideration of Agenda item 6 – ‘Green Belt site selection methodology workshop’ which contains information “not for publication by virtue of Category 3 - ‘Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’ as set out in the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended).

RESOLVED – That in order to prevent the disclosure of information which was not for publication that was ‘information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including the authority)’, as defined in Paragraph 3 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended), the disclosure of which would not be in the public interest, the public be excluded from the meeting during consideration of agenda item 6 ‘Site Selection Methodology Workshop’

To consider a presentation of the Assistant Director of Place Management and Planning.

A representative of the Assistant Director Place Making and Planning gave a verbal presentation which provided the Working Party with a recap of the housing need and supply position.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members asked whether there was any further information available relating to the exact type of housing provision that would be required or whether further work was still to be done on this.

·         Members enquired whether it would be possible to look at housing demand in terms of geography?  Had any work been done in terms of working out where the demand was coming from across the Borough? Also, could the 1.77 figure be clarified and when does it start?

·         A short discussion took place relating to stalled builds and what could be done to bring these forward.

·         What is the percentage relating to the housing delivery test and would a buffer need to be brought in? 

RESOLVED – That the verbal report be noted.

To consider a presentation of the Assistant Director of Place Management and Planning.

A representative of the Assistant Director of Place Management and Planning gave a verbal presentation which provided the Working Party with an update on increasing the urban supply.

The following comments were made/issues raised:

·         Members asked what the minimum site size was and how people would be made aware of the call for sites?

·         Would it be appropriate to involve local residents in this?  In response, the Working Party was advised that this would be entirely appropriate.

·         Some concerns were expressed about green areas that did not have a specific purpose would be targeted for development.

·         Members asked whether the language in relation to residents not having all the information, be softened?

·         Members expressed their frustration that more progress had not been possible to deliver on the Local Plan.

·         Members raised concerns relating to whether anything would now be able to be done in relation to the climate and biodiversity emergencies.

RESOLVED – That the verbal report be noted.

To consider an update from the Assistant Director of Place Making and Planning.

A representative of the Assistant Director of Place Making and Planning provided an update relating to site selection methodology.

RESOLVED – That the verbal presentation be noted.